Valverde blows a save in his first opportunity......Verlander had a 2 hitter going and was only at 106 pitches.....I know its the first game, but I probably would have left him there on a nationally televised game....JL and JV cost the MVP and Cy Young award winner his first W of the season..and he still has not been able to win on opening day yet. on five tries

Ajax comes through in the ninth and Valverde gets the reluctant win....

I hope Max Scherzer proves me wrong, but I think he is a Bonderman-like head case. And why o why did Leyland wait so friggin' long to take him out? Any fool could see that he didn't have it. Seven earned runs in 2.2 innings. Nice going, Max.

I hope Max Scherzer proves me wrong, but I think he is a Bonderman-like head case. And why o why did Leyland wait so friggin' long to take him out? Any fool could see that he didn't have it. Seven earned runs in 2.2 innings. Nice going, Max.

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Leyland is probably thinking that you don't have a short leash on a guy that started 33 games for you last season. Consistency is not one of Scherzer's strengths.

Come back kids....bottom of the ninth in game 1, ties them in the bottom of 9th today and then wins in the bottom the 11th today. The bullpen has a 3-0 record so far and Duane Below is already the league leader in wins with 2...

For the second straight start, Justin Verlander took a 2-0 lead into the ninth inning. The first time he was lifted after 8 innings and 106 pitches, and the relief pitcher took over in the ninth and blew the save and the Tigers came back to win the game in the bottom of the ninth 3-2.

Today JV open the ninth to the cheer of the crowd and only 81 pitches and a one hit shut out in progress. The first batter got on board, and JV was only able to retire one batter in the ninth before the flood gates open and neither Schlereth nor Papa Grande could hold the two base runners that Verlander put on that represented the eventual winning and insurance run.. Cabrera, Fielder and Peralta all popped or flied out in the bottom of the ninth, so our big guns did not send the fans home cheering. It was JV's first loss since last July.

You can't really fault Leyland in this one. Verlander was dominant....and like Dre said, the pitch count was amazingly low for 8 full innings of work. There was no indication whatsoever that the Rays were going to turn things around. Tampa has a good team, though. Look for them to take advantage of the extra wild card this year.